Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 674: Goal: True Depravita (I)

Chapter 674: Goal: True Depravita (I)

"I know what you wish to do, but it will not work," Angelo said gravely, not leaving Vlad in suspense. Seeing Vlad’s eyes narrow sharply, the Viking leader immediately continued his explanation, "The tournament will begin in two years. There’s no immediate deadline for inscription, but only Vikings of the younger generation are eligible to participate."

Vlad’s heart sank slightly as a deep frown creased his brow. Even if he managed to reach Valhalla, it appeared the tournament would not accept an outsider like him.

The rage that simmered within his heart began to burn brighter and hotter, becoming increasingly difficult to suppress. A cold fury radiated from him, dark and foreboding.

Angelo sensed Vlad’s burning hatred, and his own expression darkened with profound shame. The mighty Viking lowered his head, feeling dishonored by the behavior of his people.

Vikings were supposed to embody uprightness, honor, and straightforward strength, yet the way his homeland was handling Freya’s case was clearly unjust and deceptive—utterly unworthy of their proud traditions.

Angelo stared at the young Depravita for a long moment before finally speaking again.

"There is, however, one silver lining," Angelo offered, his voice heavy with reservation. "Since the rules stated that all young Vikings could participate, Freya herself is also eligible to compete in the tournament."

Surprise momentarily flashed in Vlad’s eyes at these words, and for a brief instant, hope sparked anew within his heart. If Freya could secure victory, she might regain control over her destiny.

However, Vlad quickly suppressed this optimism, his expression growing colder once again. He sneered bitterly, eyes narrowing in disdain and disgust.

"Hmph. So they want to pretend they’re still honorable warriors by giving the so-called ’culprit’ a chance to earn her freedom? It’s obviously nothing but a facade. Freya won’t be given a fair fight."

Under normal circumstances, Angelo and the Vikings would have fiercely challenged anyone daring to insult the honor of their race. However, right now, they found themselves agreeing completely with Vlad’s harsh assessment.

It was clear that the chance offered to Freya was merely a pretense to avoid entirely tarnishing their reputation. A shameful silence fell over the group as the warriors brooded bitterly, unable to deny Vlad’s accusation.

After several tense moments, Vlad finally rose from his seat and clasped his hands respectfully towards Angelo. "Thank you for sharing this with me. I won’t forget it," he said simply, his voice hardening with resolve.

Without another word, Vlad turned and strode away from the Vikings, heading towards his residence. Jormungandr remained perched silently upon his shoulder, sensing Vlad’s inner turmoil.

The small yellow cat said nothing, his expression equally grim, filled with concern for Vlad’s emotional state and a deep, seething rage regarding Freya’s unjust treatment.

Only after entering their private quarters did Jormungandr finally break the heavy silence between them, softly but seriously asking, "What do you plan to do, Boss?"

Vlad stood quietly for a moment, eyes fixed firmly ahead as they slowly filled with unwavering determination. He spoke with calm intensity, outlining a plan born of cold logic and passionate resolve.

"When saving a hostage, there are three critical points to address. First, reaching the hostage’s location. Second, safely securing the hostage. Finally, retreating successfully with the hostage unharmed."

Jormungandr’s eyes narrowed as he listened carefully, nodding in agreement and waiting patiently for Vlad to elaborate.

"Thanks to my earlier negotiations with the Graecia Empire, I’ve already secured a method for the final part. Escaping safely once I have Freya is not a significant problem," Vlad continued thoughtfully. "To reach Valhalla, I’ll also rely on the Empire’s connections. Considering they maintain trade and political relationships, there must be reliable paths between the Empire and Valhalla."

After a moment’s reflection, Vlad clenched his fists tightly, his gauntlets creaking audibly under the pressure. He drew a slow, steady breath, his voice now low and full of steely resolve.

"The real challenge is the middle stage—securing Freya herself. The Empire won’t risk war with Valhalla merely to rescue a single Viking princess. I can’t count on any assistance from them for the actual extraction. If I intend to save Freya, I’ll have to depend entirely on my own power."

Jormungandr remained attentive, silently acknowledging the heavy truth in Vlad’s words. Indeed, any interference by another powerful force could easily ignite a full-scale conflict, something neither side desired lightly. Vlad would truly have to face this battle alone.

The yellow cat voiced his concerns frankly, knowing that Vlad needed clarity in this critical moment. "Boss, how exactly do you plan to accomplish it? Though I don’t fully understand Valhalla’s power structure, the fact that it’s spoken of in the same breath as the Graecia Empire suggests they have tremendous strength. It’s guaranteed there’ll be powerful figures standing between you and Freya. Even the strength of a Legendary warrior won’t be enough for a task this dangerous."

Vlad did not flinch at Jormungandr’s stark analysis. Instead, he met the small cat’s eyes, nodding slowly. "You’re correct. Simply raising my combat strength to the level of a Legend won’t suffice. And becoming a true Legend in only two short years is utterly impossible. That leaves only one path available—a path capable of granting me the extraordinary strength I’ll require."

Realization flashed across Jormungandr’s eyes, and a grim seriousness filled his expression. Quietly, the cat whispered the ominous words, "The Depravita Seed."

Vlad confirmed this with a solemn nod. "Exactly. To infiltrate a hostile environment like Valhalla, confront their strongest warriors, and extract Freya from their grasp, I’ll need a strength beyond mere mortal limits. The only card capable of giving me that strength is evolving into a True Depravita."

A profound silence enveloped them both, broken only by Vlad’s voice, now filled with cold certainty. "Once I transform into a True Depravita, my combat prowess will rise exponentially. More importantly, my body will become immortal. Even critical wounds to my heart or brain will no longer stop me—I’ll remain capable of fighting relentlessly. Such power far exceeds the boundaries of ordinary Legends, granting me the resilience necessary to confront any opposition and save Freya."